DREAM Act
What is the DREAM Act?
The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM Act) is a bipartisan legislation to address the education disparity faced by young people who were brought to the US years ago as undocumented immigrant children but have grown up in the US, attended high school, and are law-abiding citizens, of good moral character.
Why do we need the DREAM Act?
Each year, approximately 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school and attend college. Even though they were bought to this country as children, their resident status creates a barrier to higher education and their opportunity to have access to the “American Dream.”
What are the requirements? Who would qualify?
In order to qualify, the student has to have been brought to the US more than 5 years ago, when the child was 15 or younger. Under this Act, when the student graduates from high school, he or she would be allowed to apply for conditional status, which allows up to 6 years of legal residence. During this 6-yr period, the student would be required to graduate from a 2-year college, complete at least 2 years towards a 4-yr degree, or serve in the US military for at least 2 years. The Act also eliminates a provision that forbids states from providing in-state tuition to undocumented immigrant student residents.
What states have already passed laws similar to the Dream Act that allow undocumented students to attend college and post-secondary institutions?
Texas, California, Utah, Washington, New York, Oklahoma, Illinois, Kansas, New Mexico, and Nebraska.
In all 10 of these states, the student: attended school in the state for a certain period of time, graduated from high school in the state, and signed an affidavit stating they will have applied to legalize their status or will apply ASAP.
What would be the benefits?
Would significantly reduce the drop-out rate of immigrant students.
Eliminate barriers to access higher education for immigrant students.
Increase in tax revenue due to fewer government expenses.
Would significantly increase the income of immigrants including spending and investment.
Would make these young people eligible for work authorization and therefore employ thousands of people.
Money paid to schools would increase state revenue.
Rewards hard work, integrity, and character.
What is the current status of the act?
Since 2001, the DREAM Act has received more and more support. In May 2006, it passed the Senate fully as part of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act (S. 2611). It continues to have bipartisan support. For the first time this year, there is strong support in both the House and the Senate.
Source: National Immigration Law Center http://www.nilc.org
2007-03-26
05:06:31
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4 answers
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curlygirl
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